BEN'S BLITZ: Four downs from Week 8 of the NFL season

Tuesday

After a bye week, I'm returning with four downs (takeaways) from Week 8 of the NFL season:

1ST DOWN

Just when we started to believe in Cleveland, the Browns go back to being the Browns.

Cleveland fired head coach Hue Jackson and offensive coordinator Todd Haley on Monday following a 33-18 loss to Pittsburgh.

Jackson had a brutal record of 3-36-1 in two-plus seasons, so the firing certainly has backing. With Haley previously calling plays for the Steelers before landing in Cleveland, I can tell you he leaves plenty to be desired as well.

Still, behind rookie gunslinger Baker Mayfield and a defense that boasts several playmakers, Cleveland was very competitive during a 2-5-1 start. At the midway point, the Browns now have an interim head coach in Gregg Williams, who has a rocky reputation of his own — see "Bountygate."

Sorry, Cleveland. They're still the same old Browns after all.

2ND DOWN

I have no idea what to make of the NFC East, mainly because I'm not sure any of the four teams are that good.

Yeah, I'm aware Washington is 5-2 (I can hear the Redskins fans cursing me as I type this), but I'm having a hard time buying into the Alex Smith-led offense. Adrian Peterson is carrying Washington's production, literally, and the Redskins struggled to hold off arguably the worst team in the league in the New York Giants Sunday.

Teams fall into "trap" games, and maybe Sunday was one for Washington after a big win over Dallas. Still, it doesn't take a football expert to see how bad the Giants are, so we're removing them from the conversation all together, now at 1-7.

That leaves Philadelphia and Dallas, with the Eagles at 4-4 and the Cowboys 3-4.

Dallas goes as Ezekiel Elliott goes and quarterback Dak Prescott has seemingly regressed. Then, to trade a first-round pick for Amari Cooper is head scratching. We know they're desperate for a receiver, but a first-round pick for a guy that has fallen off the map the last two seasons? I guess time will tell.

Honestly, if I had to pick a division winner today, I'd go with Philly, simply because I believe in Carson Wentz more than the other three quarterbacks. The Eagles are also very banged up, so should they get healthier, that would only help their case.

Philly's win over Jacksonville in London on Sunday was ugly, but critical. Now we'll see if they can continue turning the corner after a much-needed bye week.

3RD DOWN

Good teams find ways to win.

The Los Angeles Rams and New Orleans Saints exemplified such a concept on Sunday.

Clinging to a two-point lead and ready to give the ball back to the ever-lethal Aaron Rodgers, the Rams forced and recovered a game-sealing fumble against Green Bay, improving to 8-0 as the league's only remaining unbeaten.

There's a legitimate case for Todd Gurley being recognized as the best offensive player in football right now, totaling 195 yards to again have fantasy owners rejoicing. Los Angeles is very much the real deal.

The Saints were even more impressive, going on the road and beating a quality Minnesota squad in primetime. New Orleans' 30-20 victory also featured just 120 yards passing from future hall-of-famer Drew Brees, meaning the Saints can win without Brees throwing it 50 times for 400 yards.

Worth noting, New Orleans has traditionally been a team that struggles away from the Big Easy. Including Sunday's victory, the Saints are 4-0 on the road and 6-1 overall.

And, guess what? Los Angeles at New Orleans is on tap in Week 9. Lucky us.

4TH DOWN

Tampa Bay has announced Ryan Fitzpatrick will start at quarterback this Sunday. The decision comes after the Buccaneers benched Jameis Winston following his fourth interception against Cincinnati and Fitzpatrick rallied Tampa Bay from an 18-point deficit to tie late.

The Bucs ultimately lost, 37-34, but Fitzpatrick gave Tampa Bay a ridiculous spark. Remember, Fitzpatrick had the Buccaneers sizzling early (handing the Saints their only loss in Week 1), before Tampa Bay went back to Winston following his return from suspension.

Winston has been considered the franchise guy, but teammates are obviously rallying around journeyman Fitzpatrick. Winston's future doesn't feel nearly as certain as it once did.

Starting Fitzpatrick, at least for this week, seems logical. I just hope that the broadcasters remain professional and actually refer to him as Fitzpatrick, not "Fitzmagic," which was painfully overused in the first few weeks.

EXTRA POINT

I know I keep piling on Jon Gruden, but, quite frankly, he reported deserves it. Oakland dropped to 1-6 after failing to beat a below-average Colts team at home on Sunday. Players were apparently blindsided by the Cooper trade, and upset with Gruden's handling of the roster. This comes after dealing All-World linebacker Khalil Mack. The Raiders are a mess. And, it started with the hiring of Gruden.

Contact Ben Destefan at bdestefan@therecordherald.com, 717-762-2151 or on Twitter: @bdestefan_RH

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